AMODINO contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.
For the last month I've been in pre-production on a big project... a large creature suit that combines both direct puppeteering and animatronic components.
I've been hard at work creating virtual prototypes of all the components, and I am nearing a final design. As the dust is starting to settle it would seem that this is a good time to share a bit of a teaser for the project.
For most of my big projects I try and build things virtually first, as I find this has a lot of benefits. Different scales, configurations, and measurements can be explored, moving parts and assemblies can be tested for restriction or range of motion, final assemblies can be broken down to test fit into the volume of a specific case for transportation/storage (or doorways), expensive materials are not wasted exploring and prototyping multiple concepts, precise blueprints can be generated for machining components, and a bill of materials can be generated which not only helps in sourcing parts but in budgeting.
Building the character around a three dimensional human form is also extremely important. This helps me determine the scale of specific components like the head and arms so the final character will have the right silhouette and proportions when worn by a performer. This also helps determine how much room and range of motion the performer will have in addition to allowing me to incorporate features for performer safety and comfort such as; ventilation, assisted vision, and quick disconnect points allowing the performer to separate from the character (without assistance) while still wearing their harness.
Another benefit of virtually prototyping the full character assembly is that it makes splitting up the work into multiple departments possible. As the scale and dimension of the head and arms are known, sculpting of those components can begin even as the body design is refined for weight/performance/etc. Identifying and reducing roadblocks and dependencies ahead of time is priceless.
One of the fun aspects of this project is the variety of materials and methodologies that will be used. The character's head and hands will be sculpted, molded, and cast in either silicone or foam latex. The main body structure will be lightweight aluminum that will be welded, riveted, articulated, and bolted where appropriate. The neck and head assembly is a complex series of linkages with direct, rod, and cable control mechanisms. The head will contain a number of high torque servos controlling head roll, brow, snarl, blinks, and eye movement. Servos will be controlled by a microcontroller running custom code to allow for lifelike movement even when not being directly controlled by a puppeteer. (for display or "keep alive" scenarios) And the wardrobe will be a combination of fabric work, beading, leatherwork, and foam fabrication.
Thankfully this project has no immediate deadline, so we have the luxury of taking our time on each phase of this ambitious project.
Once I'm finished with the next phase of testing and the design is a bit more refined I'll release some more detailed images.
Cheers,
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Costumi Animatronics. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
/Chris
Greetings all,
Let&#;s admit it. We love to follow the characters shown in our favorite movies &#; be it The Batman, The Avengers or the heroes of the Jurassic world, &#;dinosaurs&#;. Not only do we like to watch them on the screen but also find ways to make them part of our families by introducing them on special events and occasions through our costumes and home décor.
The popular dinosaur culture has made them one of the most sought-after animatronic props currently available on the market. While there are many people who make an effort to develop their own animatronic dinosaurs, making them at home is surely not as easy as it may sound. In fact, it takes a great deal of effort, money and technique to create a perfectly operating animatronic dinosaur. In fact, it wouldn&#;t be incorrect to say that only a professional company can design and develop a realistic dinosaur as it is already being linked with the industrial chain that ensures consistent supply of relevant material and technology needed for the process.
In this post, we&#;ll have a look at how these companies use technology to design and manufacture animatronic dinosaurs.
Design is certainly the first and the most important step in designing an animatronic dinosaur costume. For this, you have to make a foolproof draft that includes exact measurements of the dinosaur including legs, tail, body and head. Companies usually have a separate department for this purpose that comprises of art designers who can draft a perfectly-balanced dino figure. Once you have a suitable image on paper with all the vertical and horizontal perimeters, now is the time you can work on the mechanical framework.
Mechanical frames, simply put, is used to develop the bones of a dinosaur. It helps keep the costume maintain its structure. They&#;re also flexible so that they can be moved in any required direction without any difficulty. Again, this work is generally performed by trained individuals who know how to mold steel to form perfect dino bones. Generally, all animatronic and electronic devices are installed on this frame that helps dino move head and roar.
The next step would be to shape the body of your realistic dinosaur. This step involves carving sponges that can be fixed on the steel body for shape. Here, the role of sculpturing is crucial as the final look of the costume mainly depends on that. Sculpturing should strictly be in accordance with the dinosaur&#;s body proportion.
The final appearance of the realistic dinosaur costume also depends on the making of muscle texture. Large-sized electric soldering irons are used to paint on the sponge pieces. Since, the temperature of the iron is too high, the sponge starts melting, giving it a rough texture.
Also, artists make use of a hand-sized iron to make more detailed textures that can add to the overall look of the dinosaur costume.
Once muscles have been formed with utmost perfection, the next step would be to stick silk on the sponge to create life-like dinosaur skin. Usually silk stocking are used for this purpose as they&#;re flexible and elastic. Many workers work together to cut silk stockings into smaller pieces (in patches to be precise) and stick those patches on the sponge. Then this artificial skin is brushed with silicone rubber for a realistic look.
The companies that want to incorporate recent technology into their procedures also opt for 3D printers through which the perfectly detailed dinosaur skin can be formed in no time. 3D printers help in designing realistic dino skin that needs to be just stick on the sponge. Yes, you don&#;t have to carve sponge with knives or graft them to make muscle textures as this is all done by a 3D printer for you. This technique is more reliable, time-saving and lighter. The only is advantage is that it adds to the cost factor, making the entire dinosaur costume making procedure more costly.
The last step is to paint the costume. This task also requires professional expertise as paint can make or break the final look of the realistic dinosaur costume. The paint generally takes more than a week to dry. After that the teeth, eyes and other detailing are added to the costume.
While designing and creating a fully functional realistic dinosaur costume isn&#;t a piece of cake, technology has significantly make the entire process easier and more doable. Today, professional companies like https://onlydinosaurs.com/ make use of more and more innovative equipment to produce more detailed dinosaur costumes that can perform more actions and are more reliable and durable too.
This article was just an effort to show how your favorite realistic costumes are designed on professional scale. Realistic costumes are undoubtedly one of the best picks when it comes to special occasions. How do you use realistic costumes to make your events special? Let us know in the comments section below.
Bibhuranjan Editorial Officer, technofaq.org I'm an avid tech enthusiast at heart. I like to mug up on new and exciting developments on science and tech and have a deep love for PC gaming. Other hobbies include writing blog posts, music and DIY projects.
For more Animatronic Human Modelinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.